Feeling almost chilly as I started off my early rounds of Durlston National Nature Reserve & Country Park, the wind blowing enough to make the tall grasses in the meadows sway and swoosh, a lovely rippling effect at time.
Overhead a Kestrel was to be seen, the hovering action and the long tail enabling quick identification, confirmed as it swooped down allowing its ginger and grey back to be seen – a definite male – which then moved to a different patch of field to hover over.
Across the path ahead of me a Greater Bloody-nosed Beetle trundled, this round bodied beetle one of the easiest and most obvious we have and always such a delight to see, making to stop to watch it move.
Suddenly from above came the loud croaking sound of a Raven, this huge black bird was being harassed by a much smaller Jackdaw, which seemed to encourage a Carrion Crow to take part as well, so three different sized corvids in action together. The Raven eventually moving off towards the woods while the Jackdaw joined me and aimed for the cliff.
On the ledges of Tilly Whim (this area is part of the wildlife sanctuary area) was a Rock Pipit flitting in amongst the large fallen rocks, while on the edge was a young Shag. This seabird was perched, its long neck and belly was pale on the front, while its back was dark. When it turned, moving deliberately, it showed off its huge beige coloured webbed feet, no wonder it as turning slowly and carefully.
A scattering of Rock Samphire edging the route, the dark green leaves and bright yellow flower showing, as are the more subtle greenish colours of the Rock Samphire flowers.
The wind not good for butterfly sightings, but Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Marbled White all blowing past, while a Lulworth Skipper was clinging to the stem of a Tor Grass – this being the foodplant of its caterpillar so maybe eggs have been laid.
Keep an eye out - Dolphins were seen off St Aldhelm's Head yesterday